IT202300008976A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TREATMENT OF DISCRETE PIECES FOR ABSORBENT ARTICLES - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for an INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having as its title

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TREATMENT OF PIECES

DISCREET FOR ABSORBENT ITEMS

The present invention relates to a method and device for processing discrete pieces of absorbent articles.

The term discrete segment for absorbent articles is intended to mean, by way of example and not limitation, an absorbent pad or absorbent product (of any shape), one or more overlapping layers of non-woven fabric/loft/high loft and other.

The method and device for processing discrete pieces of absorbent articles which are the subject of this paper refer to orientation variators of the pieces which are rotated from a configuration in which the respective longitudinal development axis is parallel to the direction of advance to a configuration in which such longitudinal development axis is transverse to the direction of advance, in particular rotated by 90°.

Having to arrange the sections with their longitudinal development axis perpendicular to the direction of advancement, the need was felt to reduce the pitch between one section and another.

Taking into account the size of a section, and, in particular, its longitudinal bulk, the pitch variation will be greater as the length of the section increases.

Known solutions in which it is required to vary the orientation of discrete segments and, at the same time, to vary the pitch of the succession of rotated segments with respect to the non-rotated segments involve rotating the segments using a rotary organ and varying the pitch of the rotated segments using a series of accelerators arranged downstream of the rotary organ.

In a market where greater flexibility and smaller machine dimensions are required for the size change of processed products, the need was felt to create a method and a device that could process the pieces both in the orientation variation and at the same time in the pitch change variation.

It was also felt the need to create a method that allows to process different sizes by replacing some components of the device without having to replace the entire device as required by the state of the art. In this way, the setting operations from one format to another are speeded up and the mechanical components involved in the installation of the machine are reduced.

The method of processing a discrete piece of absorbent material comprises a step of taking the piece from a first succession of pieces in which they are arranged relative to each other at a first step.

A release phase of the clip to define a second succession of clips in which they are arranged relative to each other at a second pace.

A rotation phase of the segment that takes place from the collection phase to the release phase which involves arranging the segment from a first configuration, corresponding to the configuration of the segment of the first succession, to a second configuration rotated with respect to the first configuration, corresponding to the configuration of the segment of the second succession.

The method includes, from the collection phase to the release phase, a phase of acceleration of the piece and a phase of deceleration of the piece.

The rotation phase of the segment occurs simultaneously with at least one of the acceleration phases and the deceleration phases.

Preferably, the method provides that the rotation phase of the piece occurs simultaneously with the acceleration phase and the deceleration phase.

Preferably, the method provides that in a phase of change of size of the piece, the duration of the acceleration phase and the amount of the acceleration itself are varied and the duration of the deceleration phase and the amount of the deceleration itself are varied.

Preferably, the first step is larger than the second step.

Alternatively, the first step is smaller than the second step.

Alternatively, the first step is equal to the second step.

Preferably, the rotation phase of the clip involves rotating it at least 90 degrees.

Preferably, the acceleration phase of the segment occurs before or after the deceleration phase of the segment.

Preferably, the method is carried out using a single processing device for a single piece having a working circumference corresponding to the size of a piece to be processed.

The object of the present invention is a device for processing a discrete segment of absorbent articles comprising a rotary member, rotating around its own axis of rotation, configured to move a plurality of pads at least from a station for picking up a respective segment to a station for releasing the segment, at the picking station the segments are fed according to a first step and at the release station the segments are released according to a second step.

First motion transmission means are configured to command a relative rotation of each pad around its own rotation axis such that each pad passes from a first configuration to a second configuration rotated with respect to the first configuration, and vice versa.

Second motion transmission means are configured to command an oscillation of each pad with respect to a respective oscillation axis.

The second means of transmission of motion are configured to control an oscillation in accordance with the axis of rotation of the rotary member and an oscillation discordant with the axis of rotation of the rotary member.

Preferably, the oscillation of the buffer in accordance with the rotation axis of the rotary member has an angular excursion within a range of ?90?.

Preferably, the oscillation of the buffer discordant with the rotation axis of the rotary member has an angular excursion included in a range of ?90?.

Preferably, each pad has a longitudinal extension in the range of 100 to 600 mm and a transverse extension in the range of 30 mm to 300 mm.

Preferably, the first transmission means comprise a plurality of motion transmission members, each associated with a respective buffer.

Each motion transmission organ comprises a first arm and a second arm, each free to rotate around its own rotation axis parallel to the oscillation axis of the respective buffer.

The first arm is kinematically connected to the buffer and the second arm is kinematically connected to the first means of transmission.

The first arm and the second arm are constrained to each other by rolling means, configured to allow free rotation of the first arm and the second arm around their respective rotation axes and means for transmitting an axial force having a direction parallel to the direction of the rotation axes of the first arm and the second arm. Preferably, the first means for transmitting motion are configured to control a relative rotation of each pad around its own rotation axis in such a way that each pad passes from a first configuration to a second configuration rotated by at least 90°.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of its preferred embodiments, made with reference to the attached drawings, in which: - figure 1 is a schematic front view of a discrete slug processing device according to the present invention;

- figure 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a detail of figure 1; - figure 3 illustrates a schematic sectional view of a detail of the device of figure 1 with some parts removed to better highlight others;

- figure 4 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a detail of figure 3; - figure 5 illustrates a schematic section of the detail of figure 4.

Reference 1 indicates a device for treating a discrete segment 10 for absorbent articles.

The device 1 comprises a rotary member 2 configured to move a plurality of swabs 3 from at least a collection station 4 of a respective segment 10 to a release station 5 of the segment 2.

The pick-up station 4 and the release station 5 are located along the same working circumference ?C?.

This means that the distance of the pick-up station 4 and the release station 5 from the rotation axis 2a of the rotary member 2 is the same.

The rotary organ 2 rotates around its own rotation axis 2a, causing the pads 3 to rotate around this axis.

The axis of rotation 2a is a horizontal axis.

At the collection station 4 the pieces 10 are fed according to a first step P1.

According to the illustrated embodiment, at the release station 5 the pieces 10 are released according to a second step P2, lower than the first step P1.

In alternative forms not illustrated the first step P1 is less than the second step P2 or, alternatively, the first step P1 is equal to the second step P2.

Each segment 10 is in the form of a flat element having a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension.

The longitudinal dimension is variable in a range from 100 to 600 cm. The transverse dimension is variable in a range from 30 to 300 cm.

It is possible to identify in each segment 10 a longitudinal axis 10a and a transverse axis 10b.

The section 10 of the present discussion is rectangular in shape and develops mainly along the longitudinal axis 10a.

The present discussion does not exclude further conformations of the segment 10, such as a quadrangular conformation.

With reference to the collection station 4, the pieces 10 are arranged with their respective longitudinal axis 10a parallel to the direction of advancement, defining a first succession at step P1.

With reference to the release station 5, the sections 10 are arranged with their respective longitudinal axis 10a transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the direction of advancement, defining a second succession at step P2.

This is because the device 1 comprises first motion transmission means 6 configured to control a relative rotation of each pad 3 around its own rotation axis 3a in such a way as to arrange a respective pad 3 from a first configuration to a second configuration rotated by 90° with respect to the first configuration, and vice versa.

In order to achieve a step reduction from the first step P1 to the second step P2, second motion transmission means 7 are configured to control an oscillation of each pad 3, with respect to a respective oscillation axis 3b.

It should be noted that, in a preferred embodiment, the oscillation axis 3b is an axis parallel to the rotation axis 2a of the rotary member 2.

The rotation axis 3a of each pad 3 is a transverse axis and intersects the oscillation axis 3b of the pad 3.

The second motion transmission means 7 are configured to sequentially command an oscillation of each pad 3 in a direction consistent with the direction of rotation of the rotary member 2, such oscillation has an angular excursion within a range of 90°, and an oscillation of each pad 3 in a direction discordant with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotary member 2, such oscillation has an angular excursion within a range of 90°.

Please note that during the oscillation of each pad 3, with a direction in agreement and in disagreement with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotary member 2, the pad 3 varies its relative position with respect to the rotation axis 2a of the rotary member 2.

In other words, each pad 3, during rotation around the rotation axis 2a of the rotary member 2, does not maintain a fixed position on the working circumference ?C? except for positioning in the collection station 4 and in the release station 5 in which the pad 3 is arranged in a substantially radial position with respect to the rotation axis 2a of the rotary member 2.

Advantageously, the oscillation of each pad 3 in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the rotary member 2 allows for acceleration to be imparted to the pad 3 which has taken a respective segment 10. This acceleration allows for the avoidance of any collisions between the pads 3 during rotation around their own rotation axes 3a and for the reduction of the pitch between the rotated segments 10 which are released.

The oscillation in the opposite direction is necessary to brake the buffer 3 and bring it back to the working circumference "C" where the release station 5 is located.

Another advantage that can be found is the possibility of treating a plurality of sizes of pieces 10 with a single device 1 since the working circumference "C" is established for a piece 10, consequently the other sizes of pieces 10 to be treated will be managed in the machine by varying the amplitudes of the oscillations of the pads 3.

In other words, for each size of segment 10 there corresponds a corresponding interval of oscillation amplitude in agreement and discordance with the direction of rotation of the rotary organ 2 and a corresponding interval of amplitude.

Preferably, the second transmission means 7 comprises cam means 8 configured to control the motion law of the pads 3.

The cam means 8 are configured to impart the oscillation of each buffer 3 in a direction consistent with the direction of rotation of the rotary member 2 and the oscillation in a direction discordant with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotary member 2, in relation to the size of the segment 10.

Advantageously, the device 1 according to the present invention allows to process multiple sizes of the piece 10 while maintaining the working circumference ?C? passing through the pick-up station 4 and the release station 5.

As regards each pad 3, it has a longitudinal extension included in a range from 100 mm to 600 mm and a transverse extension included in a range from 30 mm to 300 mm. Preferably, each pad 3 has a radius of curvature along a longitudinal direction and a radius of curvature along a transverse direction.

Preferably, each pad 3 has a trapezoidal profile defined by a central portion, of rectangular shape, and two end portions, adjacent to the central portion on opposite sides, inclined with respect to the central portion.

Advantageously, this allows for the collection and release of the piece 10 to be facilitated in both configurations of the pad 3, the first collection configuration and the second release configuration rotated by 90° with respect to the first configuration, since the pad 3, with respect to the rotation axis 2a of the rotary member 2, is arranged in a radial position in correspondence with the collection station 4 and the release station 5.

The swabs 3 have a support surface 13 on which the segment 10 is retained by suction from the collection station 4 to the release station 5.

Preferably, blowing means, not illustrated, are provided to facilitate the expulsion of the segment 10 from the support surface 13 of the pad 3.

As previously stated, each pad 3 of the present device 1 performs a rotation around the rotation axis 2a of the rotary member 2, a rotation around its own rotation axis 3a, to pass from the first configuration to the second configuration (and vice versa), an oscillation around its own axis 3b in a direction consistent with the rotation direction of the rotary member 2 and an oscillation around its own axis 3b in a direction discordant with the rotation direction of the rotary member 2.

Please note that in use some of these movements occur simultaneously, starting from the collection station 4, the swab 3 which has collected a respective piece 10, is rotated by the rotary member 2, around the rotation axis 2a of the rotary member 2, towards the release station 5 in order to release it. During the rotation around the rotation axis 2a of the rotary member 2, each swab 3 is rotated around the respective rotation axis 3a to pass from the first configuration to the second configuration rotated by 90° with respect to the first configuration.

During rotation around its own rotation axis 3a, each pad 3 is controlled to oscillate in a direction consistent with the direction of rotation of the rotary member 2 and to oscillate in a direction discordant with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotary member 2.

From the release station 5 to the pick-up station 4, during the rotation around the rotation axis 2a of the rotary member 2, each swab 3 is brought into rotation around the respective rotation axis 3a to pass from the second configuration to the first configuration to prepare to pick up another piece 10.

In order to be able to manage the rotation command of the pad 3 around its own rotation axis 3a simultaneously with the oscillation of the pad 3, both in agreement and in disagreement with respect to the direction of rotation of the actuator organ 2, the first transmission means 6 comprise a plurality of motion transmission organs 9 each associated with a respective pad 3.

Each motion transmission organ 9 comprises a first arm 11 and a second arm 12, each free to rotate around its own rotation axis 11a, 12a parallel to the oscillation axis 3b of the respective buffer 3.

The first arm 11 is kinematically connected to the buffer 3 and the second arm 12 is kinematically connected to the first transmission means 6.

The first arm 11 and the second arm 12 are connected to each other by rolling means 15, configured to allow free rotation of the first arm 11 and the second arm 12 around the respective rotation axes 11a, 12a, and transmission means 14 of an axial force having a direction parallel to the direction of the rotation axes 11a, 12a of the first arm 11 and the second arm 12.

The axial force transmission means 14 are configured to allow the second arm 12 to impart a force having a first direction, to control the passage of the pad 3 from the first configuration to the second configuration, and a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to control the passage of the pad 3 from the second configuration to the first configuration.

Preferably, the force in the first direction is a pushing force and the force in the second direction is a pulling force.

Advantageously, the first arm 11 and the second arm 12 being free to rotate around their respective axes 11a, 12a can be arranged in a different angular position during the command of the push force and the pull force, this is because the first arm 11 is following the oscillation of the buffer 3 to which it is kinematically connected while the second arm 12 is relatively still with respect to it.

The present invention also relates to a method of processing a discrete piece 10 for absorbent articles comprising a step of taking the piece 10 from a first succession S1 of pieces 10 in which they are arranged with respect to each other at a first step P1.

A release phase of the removed segment 10 to define a second succession S2 of segments 10 in which they are arranged with respect to each other at a second step P2.

The first step P1 is greater than the second step P2 or the first step P1 is less than the second step P2 or the first step P1 is equal to the second step P2.

From the pick-up phase to the release phase, the segment 10 is rotated at a variable rotation speed.

A rotation phase of the segment 10 which takes place from the collection phase 4 to the release phase which involves arranging the segment 10 from a first configuration, corresponding to the configuration of the segment 10 of the first succession S1, to a second configuration rotated with respect to the first configuration, corresponding to the configuration of the segment 10 of the second succession S2.

The rotation phase of the segment 10 involves rotating it by at least 90°. In sequence from the collection phase to the release phase, the method involves an acceleration phase of the segment 10 and a deceleration phase of the segment 10.

The acceleration phase of segment 10 occurs before or after the deceleration phase of segment 10.

The rotation phase of the segment 10 occurs simultaneously with at least one of the acceleration and deceleration phases of the segment 10.

In the embodiment of the present treatment, the rotation phase of the segment 10 occurs simultaneously with the acceleration phase and the deceleration phase.

The method involves a size change phase of the segment 10 which involves varying the duration of the acceleration phase and varying the duration of the deceleration phase.

That

The method is carried out using a single device for processing a piece 10 having a working circumference C corresponding to the size of a piece 10 to be processed.

Claims (14)

1) Method of treating a piece (10) of discrete absorbent material comprising a phase of taking the piece (10) from a first succession (S1) of pieces (10) in which they are arranged with respect to each other at a first step (P1); a release phase of the segment (10) to define a second succession (S2) of segments (10) in which they are arranged with respect to each other at a second step (P2); a rotation phase of the segment (10) which takes place from the withdrawal phase to the release phase which involves arranging the segment (10) from a first configuration, corresponding to the configuration of the segment (10) of the first succession (S1), to a second configuration rotated with respect to the first configuration, corresponding to the configuration of the segment (10) of the second succession (S2); the method is characterised by the fact that it comprises, from the withdrawal phase to the release phase, an acceleration phase of the segment (10) and a deceleration phase of the segment (10); the rotation phase of the segment (10) occurs at the same time as at least one of the acceleration phases and the deceleration phases. 2) Method according to the previous claim, characterised in that the rotation phase of the piece (10) occurs simultaneously with the acceleration phase and the deceleration phase. 3) Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that it comprises a size change phase of the piece (10) which involves varying the duration of the acceleration phase and the amount of the acceleration itself and varying the duration of the deceleration phase and the amount of the deceleration itself. 4) Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first step (P1) is greater than the second step (P2) or that the first step (P1) is less than the second step (P2) or that the first step (P1) is equal to the second step (P2). 5) Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotation phase of the segment (10) involves rotating it by at least 90°. 6) Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the acceleration phase of the segment (10) occurs before or after the deceleration phase of the segment (10). 7) Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact of carrying out said method by means of a single device for treating a piece (10) having a working circumference (C) corresponding to the size of a piece (10) to be processed. 8) Device for processing a piece (10) of discrete material for absorbent articles comprising a rotary member (2), rotating around its own rotation axis (2a), configured to move a plurality of pads (3) from at least a collection station (4) of a respective piece (10) to a release station (5) of the piece (10), at the collection station (4) the pieces (10) are fed according to a first step (P1); at the release station (5) the pieces (10) are released according to a second step (P2); first motion transmission means (6) are configured to command a relative rotation of each pad (3) around its own rotation axis (3a) such that each pad (3) passes from a first configuration to a second configuration rotated with respect to the first configuration, and vice versa; device being characterized by the fact that it comprises second motion transmission means (7) configured to control an oscillation of each pad (3) with respect to a respective oscillation axis (3b); the second means of transmission of motion (7) are configured to control an oscillation in accordance with the rotation axis (2a) of the rotary member (2) and an oscillation discordant with the rotation axis (2a) of the rotary member (2). 9) Device according to the previous claim, characterised in that the oscillation of the buffer (3) in accordance with the rotation axis (2a) of the rotary member (2) has an angular excursion included in a range of ?90?. 10) Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the oscillation of the buffer (3) discordant with the rotation axis (2a) of the rotary member (2) has an angular excursion included in a range of ?90?. 11) Device according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that each pad (3) has a longitudinal extension in a range between 100 mm and 600 mm and a transverse extension in a range between 30 mm and 300 mm. 12) Device according to any of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the first transmission means (6) comprise a plurality of motion transmission organs (9) each associated with a respective pad (3); each motion transmission organ (9) comprises a first arm (11) and a second arm (12), each free to rotate around its own rotation axis (11a, 12a) parallel to the oscillation axis (3b) of the respective pad (3); the first arm (11) is kinematically connected to the pad (3) and the second arm (12) is kinematically connected to the first transmission means (6); the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) are connected to each other by rolling means (15), configured to allow free rotation of the first arm (11) and the second arm (12) around their respective rotation axes (11a, 12a) and transmission means (14) of an axial force having a direction parallel to the direction of the rotation axes (11a, 12a) of the first arm (11) and the second arm (12). 13) Device according to any of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that first motion transmission means (6) are configured to control a relative rotation of each pad (3) around its own rotation axis (3a) in such a way that each pad (3) passes from a first configuration to a second configuration rotated by at least 90°. 14) Device according to any of claims 8 to 13, characterised in that the first step (P1) is greater than the second step (P2) or that the first step (P1) is less than the second step (P2) or that the first step (P1) is equal to the second step (P2).